Sketchbook Tour! Why I have so many sketchbooks? Watercolour sketchbook flip through 

Yes!! I have been wondering this for MONTHS and can't wait to hear your thought process! All of us artists take such a unique approach to our sketchbooks and what we use them for, how we use them, how we treat them, how we even think about them, and it's one of the reasons I really wish I had a group of artist friends to just chat about this with. RU-vid lets me have that group, and this is the chat I've been waiting for!!! I won't be available for the premiere but I will likely let it play on my phone just to give you the view right away and then re-watch later when I can comment to my heart's desire!!

i try to make a mess on the first page, helps me get over having a 'perfect' sketchbook 😀 an artist can never have too many sketchbooks 😀

Love the colour story you have in your sketchbooks. So vibrant and I'm all about colour! As I'm just learning watercolour (and don't draw), I find myself drawn to the A6 size for my mostly abstract paintings. That size is not as intimidating as the larger sizes. My swatch sketchbook, however, is slightly larger than A5 (I made it myself cuz I'm also a Bookbinder.) I've also made a bunch of A6 sketchbooks from Paul Rubens cotton paper mostly because it's both good quality and affordable. I also like the A6 size for it's portability. As usual, great video. Thanks for sharing.

I have a sketchbook addiction. There. I said it 😂 Thanks for the video!

I’m so late seeing this video, so if you don’t catch this comment… don’t worry about it!! When I first started with watercolour, journals scared me. It seemed like a lot of money and I could “ruin” it so easily if I wasn’t happy with the paintings inside. Now, I ***love*** journals. The portability won me over completely and getting over the fact that it doesn’t matter if everything inside is a masterpiece. Who cares? They’re mine! A5 is my favourite size, but A6 also has a special place in my heart because it’s so small/easy to carry around. I bought an A4 and B5 to try as well, although the A4 is very intimidating to me. It will remain untouched in my cabinet for many months. My first journal was a Moleskin, but I actually haven’t tried it yet! I read reviews about the Pentallic Aqua journal and ordered it around the same time and that’s the one I tried first. Then I tried Etchr and completely fell in love. So… Etchr A5 is #1 for me, followed by Etchr A6. I use the “regular” white cover Etchr journals, but I recently ordered a Perfect journal to see what the fuss was about. Again, it will sit in my cabinet for months because it’s more intimidating to use pricier supplies. I’ve tried Stillman and Birn, but I’ve set those journals aside for gouache, I don’t really care for them for watercolour. I prefer more “tooth”. I also have a cotton Strathmore journal to try. I have 3-4 journals on the go at a time plus a colour mixing/swatching journal. I have 3 to-go bags that I choose from based on where I’m going and their size and there’s a journal for each bag. So, I don’t really have my journals organized by subject. It seems anything goes as long as they fit in my bag lol. I also started off thinking that my journals had to contain “nice” pieces after seeing a lot of beautiful sketchbook reviews from various folks online. Fortunately, I got over that hang up and I use them to practice techniques, focus on improving particular parts of paintings (like a few pages on rocks or trees), and figuring out colours. Anyway, I could ramble on about sketchbooks for a while yet. I love them!! I’m just trying to hold off buying more until I’ve used more from my cabinet. It does take me quite a while to fill one (which does make the price for a more expensive brand like Etchr worth it to me).

Your sketchbooks are so interesting, and by discussing your thought processes and showing your art and swatches, made your video very compelling to watch. I have two large sketchbooks/journals. The first one I purchased is large and has mixed media paper which I used for swatching miscellaneous media and creating random art, basically whatever I felt like testing or doing. The second one is large with non-cotton watercolor paper for swatching watercolor and testing color mixes. I draw, stamp, and paint on 9 x 12 inch non-cotton and cotton mix watercolor paper 140lb 300gsm, which I cut down to size and the pieces I like I save. I also have large sheets of hot press and small sheets of cold press 100% cotton watercolor paper. I use these when I want to do something ‘serious’ rather than mess around LOL. I love the idea of making a sketchbook with my 100% cotton paper, but I need an easy peasy method, that’s goes something like this: cut paper, punch holes, insert rings, voila… sketchbook. 😂

Such amazing colors in your art! And your voice is so soothing 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Your sketchbooks are SO vibrant. That's the most instant impression they make on me. Your color choices are literally stunning. Thank you for answering my question SO thoroughly, I loved this video so much!!!

I have been using Strathmore watercolor sketch books. I enjoy bookbinding as well so I make little sketch books from watercolor paper that I find at thrift stores. Loved seeing your sketchbooks. Would love to see more of your portraits, they are really interesting.

I think your first page should say “ Oh How I love this white blank page “ or what ever you said in this Vlog. Your channel popped up in my RU-vid feed and have been binge watching. Very enjoyable way to spend an evening. Thanks for your openness.

I really enjoyed the sketchbook tour. I love how you use color.

I have that huge Dyan Reaveley sketchbook which I have had for at least 4 years and it's not even half full yet , I have made a few sketchbooks myself and I prefer A5 also currently in the process of making A6. Having many is practical. Couldn't help but notice that seascape with the purple buildings that was pure Awesomeness 🙂🤗

Moleskine watercolour sketchbooks are sold in Greece so I think I 'll buy an A5. Thanks for the recommendation 💕

I didn't use guash since primary school, but will try it out again. Your sketchbooks look absolutely beautiful!

The power came on 3 hours after we spoke! I have 2 large bins of sketchbooks of different sizes, which should last me until I’m 100 lol. Because I’m mostly into alcohol markers, a majority of my sketchbooks are 200 gsm and higher. Going now to check out your peony guide. I think that if I learn how to paint botanicals in paint, doing it with alcohol markers should be easy. We’ll see! Keep creating 💛💙💜

I love a variety too. Thank you for your video!

What a great and insightful video! I also use multiple sketchbooks for very similar reasons and I feel so much less weird knowing you do this too, so thank you for that.

I have 6 going at once too though depending on if I'm doing an art challenge, one will take priority over the others and then I remember that I'm supposed to be working in those as well LOL. My favorite sketchbook is Etchr, particularly their B5 size Perfect sketchbook but they are SO expensive, and yet both the Hot and Cold press papers are so ideal, even the Cold Press isn't too rough that you can't do decent linework. They use Fabriano Artistico 100% cotton and it's *chef's kiss* . I've been doing my 100 Heads Challenge in the Hot Press one and it's the PERFECT texture for portraits, especially since I layer my watercolor portraits with color pencil. Sorry, I also get excited talking about this stuff LOL.

Love your floral art so pretty

Hi there, It is my first time coming across your channel, and I love your video. I had a system with several sketchbooks, though my biggest challenge is sometimes, it doesn't fall under a specific category in my various sketchbooks when I am creating. I am trying to change and focus on finishing a sketchbook because I want my sketchbook to start being semi-visual diaries or my brain dump if that makes sense. I look forward to watching more of your videos; your work is beautiful, and love the colors you choose in your sketches.

The blue/yellow with the tape peel was just beautiful. (I love blue, and blue/yellow is one of my fave combos). Great video. I loved watching you pull more and more from the pile! It was so fun! Edit to add: have you tried a Mossery sketchbook yet? They're my favorite. And so many cover choices!! (How I ended up with like 15 sketchbooks waiting in my queue....)

Beautiful sketchbooks! I like to start at the back of the sketchbook because of that first page issue. I didn't do that in a recent travel sketchbook and I am still sad 🙂. I have a mix of cotton sketchbooks (bought and made) for watercolor and part cotton or pulp for gouache/mix media. I only work in sketchbooks. So I tend to try different formats and types until I find what I can't live without. Currently that is Arches handmade sketchbooks and the Strathmore 500 Travel watercolor Journal (I think I will make one next). My Etchr sketchbook is a close second. I ordered a new Hahnemuhle cotton sketchbook to try and I like my Fabriano Quaderno Vergatone for gouache. Thank you so much for the awesome video!

Amazing sketchbooks! I started using A5 4 years ago and I just love that format for my sketches and for throwing ideas on the page. I was using A4 until then, but no I find it to big :D

I love your movable pages swatch book. Such a great idea. I think I will do that, too. Great video, very inspiring. 😊

This was extremely interesting; I love getting a peek into an artist’s sketchbook and seeing why they select a particular type/brand. After much trial and error, my favorite sketchbooks are, first, the A6 Hahnemule Watercolor Book. The A6 size is perfect everyday carry and doesn’t feel overwhelming to work in. I also love the feel of the dark textile cover, which hides wear, and love the fact that the internal cover pages are the same 200 gsm watercolor paper, so you can literally fill the book cover to cover. Even though the paper isn’t 100% cotton, it handles layering and wet in wet washes very well. Second, I love the Strathmore 500 Mixed Media Sketchbooks which are available in soft or hardcover in various sizes with 8.5 x 5.5 being the smallest and the size that I work in most frequently. The paper is 90lb 100% cotton and can handle literally any media that you throw at it including watercolor, gouache, ink and acrylic. Color pencils lay down like a dream on this paper and I can’t find a paper that I enjoy using more for color pencil work. Hands down, these sketchbooks contain my favorite art paper. I even bought a pack of qty 4 22x30 sheets to one day make an A6 or passport travelers size sketchbook which would suit me better for on-the-go. If you ever get a chance to try the Strathmore 500 Mixed Media (not the 400 Watercolor) sketchbook, it might be the last sketchbook you use. I can layer for days on the paper even though it’s considered mixed media instead of watercolor. Last and least, I’ve been using the Royal Talens Art Creation sketchbook in 3.5 x 5.5” as well, but the paper is best for pencil, ink, water-based marker (eg Tombow, Ecoline or Pitt Pens). It can take light watercolor but is not satisfying to use with wet media and it’s terrible with color pencil because the paper has zero tooth. Nevertheless, I am enjoying using all of the sketchbooks that I have on hand and look forward to future reviews from you!

I have 2 going for different types of art (one more for mixed media and collage style; one for painting). I also keep one for writing that I decorate as I go. I am trying to curb my purchases so am trying to not buy new ones but rather make my own and use up my paper hoarding stash. 🙄 Thanks for sharing what you do and why.

Wow wow such beautiful sketchbooks. I usually have about 3 on the go at once and struggle with that lol. Always on the first page of any new sketchbook, I do a title page with pictures and swatches of my materials and the dates started and a gap left for date finished. I have a khadi papers 100% cotton rag watercolour sketchbook for painting my urban sketching ad watercolour experimenting in and have a daler and rowny ebony 150gsm sketchbooks for mixed media and messing around.

Love it. I feel inspired

Wow this is a wonderful video! I bought a Speedball Watercolor 300 GSM Landscape 60 pages about a year ago that I have yet to try to paint in. I am not sure if I am afraid to make mistakes in it because it was expensive or if it is I’m not sure what I want to use it for, general landscapes, specific landscapes of my travels or a specific subject journal. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on journaling and your sketchbooks.

I am still a beginner at watercolor painting. Purchased Canson Montval Watercolor sketchbooks in size 5.5 x 8.5 inches (14 x 21.6 cm) , 140 lb (300 g) , cold press paper. The label does not list any cotton. My sketches are whatever pops in my head. I have not developed any system of what to sketch and paint. I am currently using Paul Rubin 24 colors watercolor pallet in the pink tin. I just purchased an Etcher 24 colors watercolor pallet to take with me to a Watercolor painting class. I like your ring system swatch book. You are very inspiring.

Lol I always save the first page of a sketchbook empty for something inspirational 😁

It makes a lot of sense to me to divide things by medium or topic! Also really love the idea of having a super flexible system with being able to add or remove pages as you need, that's so smart! I think my favourite format is roughly a5 in portrait version. I have 3 going at the moment - one is with super thin and lots of pages where I just do line art, ink, pencil and random sketches or practice compositions for graphic design work and commissions. And it was super cheap so I don't feel guilty about having ugly pages and wasting it. Then one with blackout paper but I rarely use it and the last one I recently I got and it's one from Hahnemühle with watercolour paper to practice watercolour, because I just had blocks or loose sheets of watercolour paper before. I think it also has 200gsm and I'm really enjoying it so far.

I love the idea of removable pages. I've seen an artist make swatch cards where she paints loose small pieces of paper so she can later mix and match the color schemes she needs. Loved the idea but it was too messy for me but I think it will work with the spiral sketchbook and removable paper 😍

your sketchbooks are all so organised!! as for the first page i actually start on a random page for whatever i do lol so my drawings and paintings aren't in chronological order

i use seawhite of Brighton sketch books not really watercolour paper but i use them for it though and love it. I use a lot of different materials and it just takes it really well. i luckily am just able to start a sketchbook and not worrie to much about the way it looks.

Enjoyed seeing how you use your sketchbooks..I’m still trying to work out which brand to get as there are so many different views and brands..may have to look into Moleskin as you’re the first person I’ve seen using them..thank you!

I love a square sketchbook, but like you I've several on the go (6 at present) - they are all different sizes though. The smallest being 2.5 inches square.

Lovely video ❤️

Congrats for the subs! Well deserved! Hope you reach 2000 soon!

I always leave the first page blank too hoping that by the end of the sketchbook I'll be so much better at drawing that it will be easy to make it good... it never happens haha

I love those mountain paintings!! They're my primary subject (in pencil and watercolour) I'd love to see a tutorial for your style with gouache! I've been really struggling to get enough depth and contrast in my paintings actually, I think I need to change out my dark brown half-pan in my palette... any tips or recommendation for a good "darkening" mixing colour?

6:48 Haha, I leave 5-8 pages blank in the beginning and usually I never go back to fill them. But who knows, as long as I'm alive I can still do it for all, right? 😂

Thanks for another Great Video! I noticed that you don’t seem to get a lot of “breed-thru” when you use watercolors or gouache on sketchbook paper. Do you pre-treat the paper with a watercolor ground? Also…your disc bound swatch notebook idea is the perfect solution for me….everything I need is already in my stash. Have a great week!

I have only 4 active sketchbooks, one moleskine wc A5 for color stories and some swatches, one moleskine wc A5 I started for inktober but it became my ugly sketchbook in which I experiment mostly, one Paul Rubens A5 for plein air and strathmore 400 watercolor book for traveling.